Monthly Archives: May 2016

This is a copy of some dialogue between me and my daughter about 5 years ago. She had me write a “devotional” for a camp she was doing. I thought this was pretty good stuff… if I do say so myself. Take a read… tell me what you think.

If you were to ask the question, “What is the most important topic/subject in all of the Bible?”, I think the subject of salvation has to rank right near the top. Seems like that’s the key theme to me. Paradise lost, mankind exiled out of Eden, and God’s plan for man to be reconciled with a sinful fallen race. There are many that really make this all too complicated. They even have coined a word for the theologically minded for salvation, soteriology. Now that’s a mouthful. Try saying it. I don’t think I will ever try and show off and say it.
But as complicated as the subject can be made out to be, it really is quite simple. Yet many don’t seem to get it, they don’t even have a clue that they are in such desperate need of the “so great a salvation” that our saving God has made available. I personally don’t understand, seems cut and dry to me. The biggest problem we have is that ugly disconnect that we all have with God…. sin. Not a pleasant word but that’s the truth. I challenge you to find that word used anywhere (take the challenge… look for it in a magazine, newspaper, or movie, you won’t hear it used).

Almost like there’s a conspiracy to write that word out of our vocabulary. Well, salvation, the fact that God has done the all incredible hard work of bringing us back in right standing, through what Jesus did on the cross is the main theme of the Bible. And sin is dealt with there and through God’s grace and mercy, hungry spiritual beggars come to the cross and can experience forgiveness, God’s grace (God’s riches at Christ’s expense), and mercy. Such a deal, and seems like folks would take advantage of the offering, we know “the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life” (that’s our salvation!)… it’s free! Why don’t all of us sinners jump on it?

That’s the enigma. That’s the mystery to me. Until I got a hold of some good stuff, and now it’s dated good stuff, from Josh McDowell. He’s been pushing apologetics (that means defending the faith, for about 30 plus years). McDowell has drilled it down to 3 reasons why people don’t just take this salvation that God is making available. And everyone who is rejecting God’s free gift is falling into one of these three.

First, people don’t accept it because of their sin, that’s right, a little confusing but true. What happens is they love their sin so much they are not giving it up. Second reason is pride, some folks don’t think they have a sin problem (I know I did) and they are proud. They say they are going to make it on their own and this God stuff is like a crutch or something for the weak. And lastly, ignorance. Like the Ostrich that sticks his head in the sand, they just don’t want to know. There are those that for some reason are indifferent or just prefer not knowing about God’s beautiful salvation he has so freely made available. Maybe some feel that if they don’t know all the details that they won’t be accountable to God… sorry, not the way it works.
So there you have it… salvation. It is a theme throughout the Bible that we keep running into all the time. For God so loved us that he made the way back to Himself. He wants to save us, to rescue us, and the table has been set. Don’t let those big three reasons above be yours for not embracing God’s salvation. I know I’m always looking for a good deal… but what God has given to us is the best imaginable!

Hey Pop. I was wondering if you would want to write a devotion for this year’s camps. The theme of the day is “Salvation”. The theme of the camp is a look at the life of David, and focusing in on how he was a man after God’s heart. I included the memory verse we are using. Your devotion will be Tuesday’s which is the decision night. So the main point we are driving home is salvation.

I just need it by the end of the week. Let me know if you have time.

Love, shell

TUESDAY

Memory Verse: Psalms 31:1-5

Into Your Hand I Commit My Spirit To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! 2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! 3 For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; 4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. Psalms 31:1-5